Head of FP&A

Head of FP&A

Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the FP&A function, ensuring robust financial planning and reporting.
  • Company: Established transport and logistics business with a focus on financial discipline.
  • Benefits: Competitive day rate of £600-700 and flexible working model.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in a core finance role during a critical period.
  • Qualifications: Formal accountancy qualification and strong FP&A experience required.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for leadership and professional growth.

IntroCedar is currently partnered with a transport and logistics business to secure an Interim Head of FP&A in Central London. The role is a 6-month contract, covering a project secondment, paying a day rate between £600-700 per day.

The Company

This established transport business operates across multiple routes and service lines, delivering services through large, multi-year customer and public sector contracts. The organisation has continued to invest in financial discipline and planning capability to support operational performance, cost control, and contract profitability. Finance plays a central role in supporting decision-making across the business.

The Role

As Interim Head of FP&A, you will take ownership of the BAU FP&A function, ensuring continuity and robustness during a secondment. The role will include:

  • Ownership of monthly forecasting, budgeting, and rolling reforecast cycles across the business
  • Production of management reporting, variance analysis, and performance commentary for senior leadership
  • Business partnering with operational and commercial stakeholders to support cost control, productivity, and margin performance across large contracts
  • Oversight of cashflow forecasting and working capital tracking at both contract and group level
  • Maintaining and improving core FP&A processes, models, and reporting cadence
  • Supporting ad hoc analysis to inform operational decisions and short-term planning priorities

Your Profile

You will ideally have:

  • A formal accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
  • Strong FP&A and management reporting experience within a complex, contract-led, operational environment
  • Experience supporting or owning financial performance across large, multi-year contracts
  • A track record of partnering closely with operational and commercial stakeholders in BAU settings
  • The ability to step into a leadership role quickly and provide stability during a period of cover
  • Prior interim or contract experience, or the ability to adapt rapidly into a short-term mandate
  • The rate of £600-700 per day reflecting a logical progression from your previous role or contract rate

Compensation & Benefits

The role offers a day rate of £600-700 per day and the opportunity to lead a core FP&A function within a commercially focused transport business operating in a large contract-led environment. This is a BAU-focused role covering a defined secondment, with an initial 6-month term. The Central London location is well connected by public transport, and the business operates a flexible working model, typically requiring 3-4 days per week on site.

Head of FP&A employer: Cedar

IntroCedar's partner company is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Central London that prioritises financial discipline and operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the organisation fosters a collaborative culture where finance professionals can thrive while contributing to impactful projects across large, multi-year contracts. The flexible working model and competitive day rate further enhance the appeal of this role, making it a rewarding opportunity for those seeking meaningful employment in the transport and logistics sector.
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Contact Detail:

Cedar Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of FP&A

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect interim role.

✨Showcase Your Expertise

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your FP&A experience and how you've successfully managed financial performance in complex environments. Share specific examples that demonstrate your impact!

✨Be Ready for Interviews

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common FP&A questions and scenarios. Think about how you can quickly adapt to new challenges and provide stability, especially since this is an interim role. Confidence is key!

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only gives you access to exclusive roles but also shows your commitment to finding the right fit for your skills.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of FP&A

Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)
Budgeting
Forecasting
Management Reporting
Variance Analysis
Business Partnering
Cashflow Forecasting
Working Capital Management
Core FP&A Processes
Ad Hoc Analysis
Accountancy Qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
Leadership Skills
Adaptability
Contract Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of FP&A role. Highlight your relevant experience in FP&A, management reporting, and any formal accountancy qualifications you have. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this interim role. Mention your experience in contract-led environments and how you've successfully partnered with stakeholders in the past. Let us know what makes you stand out!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role requires stepping into a leadership position quickly, make sure to highlight any previous leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've provided stability during transitions or managed teams effectively. We love seeing strong leaders!

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar

✨Know Your Numbers

As a candidate for the Head of FP&A role, it's crucial to be well-versed in financial metrics and reporting. Brush up on your knowledge of forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you successfully managed these processes.

✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills

This role requires strong collaboration with operational and commercial stakeholders. Think of instances where you've partnered effectively with different teams to drive financial performance. Highlight how you’ve supported cost control and productivity in previous roles during the interview.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Readiness

Since this is an interim position, the ability to step into a leadership role quickly is key. Prepare to share examples of how you've taken charge in previous contract roles or during periods of transition. Emphasise your adaptability and how you can provide stability in a fast-paced environment.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in FP&A functions and how you overcame them. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.

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